Our Own Wedding

Today marks the 4th anniversary of the day Martin and I tied the knot (okay – 4th anniversary plus one week since we got a surprise announcement that our friends, Vica and Ion, had just taken the plunge in Romania. I couldn’t resist sharing that first!).

So now we’re back on track, and with all the prodding and begging, you’ll be glad to hear that today’s featured wedding is…

Martin + Katie

We got married in the church I had grown up in. It isn’t the most elaborate, stained glass church you imagine when you think of a Catholic Church. It’s actually a very simple place… which as you know, Martin and I are all about keeping things simple and symbolic these days.

To kick off the whole event, my closest friend (and bridesmaid!), my mom, and I all met at an enormous craft store to pick out a pattern and fabric for a dress. Yep! My wedding dress was custom made! My friend gave it to me as a wedding gift, and I am still pinching myself and wondering how I snagged such a generous pal.

Just before we walked down the aisle, my dad followed family tradition and slipped a penny under my shoe for good luck. My sister-in-law and her now-husband who were just married in Vienna won over the crowd with their professional opera voices. They even sang a song from my parents’ wedding! And after a lot of big hugs and attempts not to cry, I made my way down the aisle where Martin and 100 of our friends and family awaited.

We worked hard to keep costs down and did everything we could ourselves. Yes, even back then Martin and I were very hands-on from decorating the church and reception to asking relatives to share their talents. Of course, most of the time we didn’t even have to ask. My father-in-law and his sister were begging to be our photographers. Pinch me again, right? We love this wedding gift, especially now. It’s one of the few things we can have with us in Germany and the US.

And then before we knew it, we were signing the marriage license…

and zipping over to the reception…

What kind of wedding would it be without a little unsuspected humor in thick, foamy shaving cream to break up all the sappy action, right?

And how many Germans take off in a little borrowed Nissan truck? Okay, okay… how many people in general?

One of my favorite gifts actually came from my grandmother. It wasn’t something new or shiny. In fact, it didn’t cost her a dime. It was one of those priceless gifts… another one of those moments where I have to wonder how I could be part of such a loving group of people.

She gave us a piece of advice – never go to bed angry with one another. She also gave us a symbol of love and resolution that she’s been hanging onto for all of these years. It’s the cake topper from the day she married my grandfather almost 60 years ago.

A lot of the food (all vegetarian even back then) was spread on enormous dishes my other grandmother had collected over the years. Some were gifts she received at her wedding. And a couple were even from her mother’s wedding. A couple of my sister’s friends managed the food and dishes so we didn’t have to hire a catering service. My mom and I had been collecting punch cups and various saucers at estate sales to minimize waste.

Marrying a pilot (and now learning how to fly myself!), I don’t want to totally shock you or anything… but our first dance was to the song, Fly Me to the Moon.

Fly away we did. The next morning, we hoped into a little Cessna airplane and headed to the San Juan Islands to go camping.

Peek into all the international weddings our friends and family have shared on Making This Home (from Vienna to Japan) on the International Wedding Page.

28 lovely thoughts on “Our Own Wedding”

Oh my gosh it was even better than I had imagined! So perfect! You were one gorgeous bride Ms. Katie! And Martin was a stunning groom, of course. I just love your dress – and how wonderful that it was made just for you! And your cake is just gorgeous too – I love the little stripes of lavender! And your food was made with love, and served on platters with soul…wow – what an amazing wedding you guys had.

And camping in the San Juan Islands? I’m embarrassed to admit I’m going to have to look them up – Canada?! My geography skills are seriously lacking.

But back to your wedding day – Congratulations on four fabulous years!!!! I love your grandmothers too – we live by that rule too!!

The area of the San Juan Islands where we went is a part of the US just off of Seattle. It was such a fantastic place. We even got to camp out in a grass field by the airplanes for free… leaving money to spend on fun activities instead.

A very precious couple you both make! Loved every bit of the wedding….what you had and have is something that most people spend huge bucks in trying to make it look the same. One things for sure…
we can’t buy love, contentment, with family and friends who truly and really care!!!
You two had indeed a wonderful wedding!
A very wonderful and happy 4th anniversary wishes to you both!

Happy anniversary! I love the way you were able to include so many meaningful family items in your wedding day. You are such a cute couple. “Fly Me to the Moon” was our first dance song too, but I like your reasoning better:)

How beautiful! Thanks for sharing! Your dress is gorgeous and you both look so happy. I want more photos!
When we got married, my mom made our cake (she had a small cake business), my aunt is a florist and did all our flowers, several other aunts did all of our food (and it was wonderful) and my uncle is a KC, so he gifted us the use of the Knights Of Columbus Hall for our reception. How awesome is that? We were thrifty!
And is it your birthday? Well, I hope it’s as lovely as you are. You guys are going to have to plan a trip to HD sometime after you get back to Germany so we can meet up.

My most excellent friend the MonkeyGirl got remarried a few years ago and I had the privilege of being maid of honor. She did so many things hands-on. It was amazing how many things there are to think about — even when you’re trying to keep it simple!

“She gave us a piece of advice â€“ never go to bed angry with one another.”

Great advice :-)
And – good attracts good, or on other words; people are usually surrounded with people they deserve :-).
We had small wedding, only 10 of us, some bare feets, one ship, one band, small costs, for the rest of the money we furnished our home. Happy anniversary! :-)

Do tell how you and Martin met! My son is in Germany now on an internship through his college. He will be studying abroad in another year in Germany (German major) and we often wonder if he will end up with a German bride.

Angela, it must be kind of exciting to think of your son falling in love with a German. I say that from the point of view of being closer to the falling-in-love stage than the mom side of things. My mom isn’t so keen on the couple thousand miles away thing. So good luck to you, and just make sure your son visits often (and you come to Germany!).

Well when you posted this, like 9 months ago, I was under a rock getting ready for my 2nd year of law school and missed it till I saw it on your sidebar today. Oops! Bad friend am I. Thanks for the dress props, it was fun to do that project, you’re a great friend and quite the dress model! It was a beautiful, and very Katie + Martin wedding, just as you wanted! And hey, functional, practical gifts are usually best, eh?

Thanks again, and here’s to almost 5 years! Sorry I’m lame and don’t catch up on everything till way late:)

OMG!! I am so intrigued by your website. God bless you beautiful Katie. Your wedding is absolutely beautiful..thank you for sharing all this with us. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Canadian screenwriter/novelist…KS